Treatment at a Glance
Treatment Type
Anaesthetic
Pre-Treatment Care
Recovery Time
What is Sinus Grafting?
When teeth are missing in the back of the upper jaw, the sinus air spaces can play an important part in treatment planning. Once a tooth has been removed, the bone height shrinks, which can result in a sinus bone graft being required before an implant can be placed.
Sinus grafting involves a small surgical procedure under local anaesthetic, allowing our dentist to gain access to the sinus through the gum in order to place the bone graft material.
At Blackhills Dental Clinic we use an ultra-purified animal-derived product which originates from bovine (cow) bone. This has been used across the world for over 20 years, on more than 10 million patients and is considered completely safe. It acts as a temporary scaffold allowing your own bone to repair and regenerate itself. The bone graft material is covered by another animal-derived product which is porcine (pig) collagen and this protects the bone graft for the first few weeks while it is healing and is essential for successful regeneration of the missing bone.
The graft provides the required bone material to allow for implant placement and needs between 5 and 9 months to heal, before the implant can then be placed as a separate procedure.
On some occasions, where there is still some height of bone remaining, implant placement can be completed at the same time as the sinus graft. This has the advantage of only requiring a single operation and usually a shorter healing period of between 4 and 6 months.
The Treatment Process
Consultation & Planning
During your initial consultation our specialist will perform a comprehensive examination to check your sinus health and measure your existing bone height. This examination will involve taking X-rays or a CBCT scan.
The Surgical Procedure
Our specialist will begin by numbing the area with local anesthesia before making a small incision in the gum. This incision will expose the jawbone and allow access to the sinus. The thin sinus membrane is then carefully lifted upward, which creates a small space between the sinus floor and the membrane. The Bone Graft is then placed in this small place, acting as a scaffold for the new bone growth, before the incision is closed.
Healing & Bone Integration
Healing can take up to 4 to 9 months, allowing ample time for the graft material to integrate with your natural bone. During this period your body will gradually replace the graft with natural bone.
Sinus Grafting FAQs
1. Why do I need a sinus graft?
You may need a sinus graft if you are experiencing bone loss after a tooth extraction, have long term missing teeth or not enough bone to support implants.
2. Is getting sinus graft surgery painful?
Most patients report that they experience mild to moderate swelling, pressure around the sinus area and minimal pain that can be managed with medication.
3. What materials are used for the graft?
At Blackhills Dental Clinic, we use an ultra-purified animal-derived product which originates from bovine (cow) bone.
4. How long does sinus graft surgery take?
On average the surgery takes 45-90 minutes, alothough it depends on the complexity of the case.
5. What is the recovery like?
You may experience some swelling or discomfort after surgery, although this should reduce after 2-3 days. You can return to usual activities, such as exercise, 1 week after surgery.
6. Will it affect my sinuses or breathing?
It is normal to experience mild sinus pressure or slight nasal congestion after a sinus graft, but these usually improve with 1-2 weeks as the sinus lining heals.
7. When can I get my dental implant?
Usually after the sinus graft is fully healed, which typically takes 4-9 months after grafting.
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Contact Information
5 Maidenplain Place, Aberuthven, Perthshire, PH3 1EL
8:30am to 5pm | Mon – Fri
01764 66 44 46